Vincent at the end (spoilers)
he dies?
is this at all suggested
No, i dont think that was suggested at all
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MovieChat Forums > Gattaca (1997) Discussion > Vincent at the end (spoilers)
I firmly believe there are two important positions to consider when analyzing the ending thematically. When scrutinizing the relationship between Vincent and Jerome, what we can see—at least symbolically—is that Vincent embodies the "individual," while Jerome embodies the "body." On a subtextual level, this dualism suggests that Vincent and Jerome are striving to become the same person, with the film's ending implying the fusion of their constituent mind/body elements.
If Vincent and Jerome are indeed symbolically meant to represent the same complete and realized person (Vincent, the mind/soul; Jerome, the body), then the ending may imply that Jerome's death is, by extension, Vincent's death as well. This would make sense when considering the film's opening sequence, where Vincent describes his genetic composition and foreknowledge of early fatal probability. Although Vincent the in-valid has triumphed over Gattaca, the valid, he is still limited by his genetic defects. Even though it is not explored, there is logical doubt as to Vincent's physical capabilities in space and its harsh conditions, and whether or not he will complete his mission alive.
On the other hand, if such fatalism is somehow in contradiction with the film's theme of triumph, then there is of course strong reference to the idea that the ending imagery symbolizes the merging of Vincent and Jerome. Once again the film alludes to earlier sequences, where Vincent is using the incinerator to shed away his in-validness. If Vincent's use of the incinerator was to strip away his "body" and leave his individuality, then Jerome's parallel suggests that he is only an empty shell, absent a relative "self;" as such, when Jerome tells Vincent that he only shared his body while Vincent shared his dream, we see that the ending is suggesting this metaphorical merge of mind/soul and body. As Vincent launches into space, leaving the temporal plane, Jerome dies, joining Vincent in unison through this metamorphosis.